"Then they are good for indulging it?" interrupted Philip.
"Sir, 'charity' is a much misused word. You are speaking of mere alms, the which are good for them that receive them, if they use them rightly; and good for them that give them, when given in a right spirit. But these are no more evidence of a man's standing before God"—
"Patient Irvine, have you read the Twenty-fifth chapter of Saint Matthew?"
"I have read the Twenty-fifth of Matthew, Sir," answered Patient, dryly, leaving out the "Saint."
"And are not the good people commended in that chapter, and do they not obtain everlasting life, simply and solely for their charity to the poor?"
"No, Sir," said Patient, placidly.
"Well, upon my word!" exclaimed Philip.
"Sir," resumed Patient, gravely, "it takes but a kindly heart to give alms for its own sake, or for the receiver's sake. But it takes a renewed heart to give alms for Christ's sake. Not the giving of alms was the title to life everlasting, but the giving them 'unto Him'[[16]] was the seal and evidence of their grace. They that know Christ will look for a savor of Him in all things, and such as have it not are bitter unto them. And I would call to your mind, Sir, that 'tis 'he that believeth'[[17]] which shall be saved: not he which giveth alms. At least, there is no such passage in my Bible."
"You always run off to something else," said Philip, discontentedly. "However, to come back to our first point—as to my conscience, begging your pardon, and with your gracious leave, I think that God has given it to me as a guide, and that I am bound to follow it."
Patient laid down her work, and looked Philip in the face.